Judge: Villa can't go near his studio

Dance instructor must stay away from children

A district judge denied a request Friday to allow a Corpus Christi
dance studio owner charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child to
go near his studio or other places where children congregate.

Ricardo Villa, founder of the Ballet Nacional dance troupe, has been
indicted on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child
stemming from what prosecutors say was improper sexual contact with a
male dance student who was under 14 in 1993.

Five witnesses, including Villa's wife and parents of children
currently taking lessons from Villa's studio, testified before state
District Judge Tom Greenwell that Villa has never shown any behavior to
believe he is a threat to children.

"He is the director, he's the one the leaders go to to ask for
instruction," said Maria Ramon, president of Ballet Nacional. "The
children ask for him. They need him."

Villa's attorney, Ken Botary, said in court that some conditions of
Villa's bond would destroy his business if the trial is to begin as
scheduled in March. Botary added that his client is innocent and ready
to go to trial.

"Those children are safe," Botary said. "If the court is concerned
about male students over there - there are none."

Prosecutor Sandra Eastwood said Villa is a threat to children and
shouldn't be treated any differently than anyone else charged with a
sex-related crime.

"The state believes that he is a pedophile and danger to our
community," Eastwood said. "When any other defendant is accused of
these crimes, he's not allowed to go around children."

Villa was arrested and released Aug. 21 after posting bail on a
$100,000 bond. Greenwell granted two changes to Villa's bond
conditions, one allowing Villa to talk with some of the victim's family
members closely associated with Ballet Nacional, and the other
permitting him to stay out past his curfew if he is working.

Botary declined to comment after the hearing. Eastwood could not be
reached Friday.